Staffs, or truncheons, were used by the police force for practical and ceremonial purposes. They were both a weapon and a badge of office. Constables did not begin wearing uniforms until 1829 or carrying warrant cards until the 1880s; before this time, the staff indicated the constable was acting under the authority of the crown by displaying the royal crown and cipher on the staff. The crown and cipher were standardised on constable staffs under William IV, but additional decoration could be added. Staffs might also have displayed the royal coat-of-arms, the coat-of-arms of the local town or village, and the owner’s initials.

On a serious note, it puzzles me...and maybe its just me.... that the police seemed to be always outmanned on the street in Britain.

Let me put it this way....if I was a criminal...thief or whatever....I'd make damn sure that I had an equalizer....like a long blade knife...just in case a constable whipped out that truncheon.
Plus the uniform a policeman wore would seem to be a bit of hinderance.

"The night watchmen or “Charlies” as they were nick named after their creator in the Britain had a long reign finally ending in 1890 with the retirement of Night Watchmen Charles Rouse in 1890 pictured below. This rare photo was taken on the last day of his duty on his “Watch” which was on Brixton Road in London.

Mr Rouse can be seen above with his traditional lantern which was a symbol of Night Watchmen in addition to being a vital piece of equipment. He also carries a rattle although early Night Watchmen just shouted the word “Watch" to attract attention. He is armed with a wooden truncheon and a cutlass although traditionally Night Watchmen carried long wooden staffs. Although it is not known for sure when the Metropolitan Police were formed in 1829 a number of Night Watchmen were recruited. Night Watchmen Rouse was possibly one of them"